ABC Files Complaint with FCC Against Forced Early License Renewal for Eight Stations, Calls It Political
ABC has filed a formal complaint with the U. S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opposing the requirement for eight of its broadcast television stations to submit early license renewal applications. ABC argues the demand is punitive and unprecedented, stemming from an April 2026 investigation under Republican Chairman Brendan Carr. More than 150,000 public comments have been filed, and bipartisan former FCC officials have opposed the action. The FCC has not yet responded.
ABC has submitted a formal complaint to the U. S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), opposing the FCC's requirement that eight of its broadcast television stations submit early license renewal applications. In the filing, ABC stated that the requirement is punitive and unprecedented in nature. The matter stems from April 2026, when under Republican Chairman Brendan Carr, the FCC ordered ABC to apply for early license renewals for some of its stations, citing an investigation into potential violations of law and agency rules by ABC and its parent company Disney. In its complaint, ABC refuted the FCC's allegations, stating that the FCC has spent the past 18 months continuously seeking pretexts to revoke its licenses.
More than 150,000 public comments have been submitted to the FCC docket, and a group of bipartisan former FCC chairs and officials have issued a joint statement opposing the action. The FCC has not yet issued an official response to ABC's complaint.
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